And be sure to wash your hands after boarding (Amtrak bathrooms are equipped with soap and running water). Rossi is a medical doctor in Pekin, Illinois, and CEO of Reditus Laboratories, a company that conducts COVID-19 testing. That includes contactless boarding, enhanced disinfection through a partnership. They were very serious about having people wear masks. According to online data, these locomotives burn about 10% less diesel fuel per mile than the old engines they are replacing and spew far less pollution, reducing by about 90% the two banes of diesel exhaust oxides of nitrogen and particulate matter, the diesel soot thats noxious to human lungs. Upon reaching out to Amtrak, a spokesperson for the company said, "The health and safety of our riders and crew continues to be our number one priority. Those measures dont guarantee risk-free travel on board. These 3 tools can help you navigate quarantine and testing policies by state, That could mean if you are in a crowded train station, if the train itself has it has a density of people around you whether thats passengers or crew members that could still pose a risk, Suh says. WATCH LIVE Chicago & Suburban Cook Co. North Suburbs West Suburbs South Suburbs NW Indiana That study went on to point out the potential threat existed even with a mask. The company requires customers over 2 years old and employees to wear face coverings while onboard and in stations unless they are actively eating or drinking or in their own private room with the door closed. This left a total of five dining tables open (all of which must be reserved for a specific time in advance). Since 2012, theyve rolled as fast as 110 mph there. As I set my things down, the train rolled into motion. A Free Press article last year documented that Amtraks trains had become routinely late across much of the nation, with Michigan trains the very latest. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. In the dining car people wouldnt wear a mask while they were actively eating, but it seemed like they would use eating just like on planes as an excuse to keep their mask off.. AND YOU KNOW EVEN ALMOST MINUTE BY MINUTE. Even though the train runs parallel to certain sections of the freeway, these are vantage points that you can only witness from the train. Amtrak will reduce its service between Friday and Jan. 6 as it grapples with a rising number of COVID-19 cases among workers and poor weather conditions, according to The Washington Post. Although no mode of public transportation is completely safe, there are some concrete ways to reduce risk, whether on an airplane, train or busor even in a shared car. And thats when I got to work. I grabbed a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and put in my order for lunch. Walking through the rows of roomettes, it appeared that people were taking advantage of a loophole in the mask rule they were maskless while in their rooms as required, but their doors were wide open. You can isolate from really everyone, so that, of course, becomes essentially just as safe as driving in your car, Khabbaza said, although you may still have to encounter people if you go to the dining car or a communal restroom or when you exit the train. 2023 Scientific American, a Division of Springer Nature America, Inc. Most of these flights occurred early on in the pandemic, however, and in the case of the March 1 flight, masks were likely not worn, the researchers wrote. HE SAYS -- WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE AIR QUALITY OF THE SPACES WE'RE WALKING INTO. Before the pandemic, many people would not think twice about ordering a ride-share car or hailing a taxi. Discover world-changing science. "With the sort of substandard masks most of us wear, if you don't have good ventilation, I just think you don't have a chance.". Travel news, guides and tips for anyone looking to get away. We may earn commission from the links on this page. A LIVE READING 09:37 FOR MOST OF US -- THE SOLUTION IS LIKELY AS SIMPLE AS OPENING OUR WINDOWS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. Siemens says these SC-44 Charger locomotives have a top speed of 125 mph, although they cant roll nearly that fast just yet between the Motor City and the Windy City. Written by David Peter Alan , Contributing Editor. If you happen to be seated close to a person who is actively shedding the virus, especially if it is a long flight or that person is not wearing a mask, there is a higher chance that you will get the disease. Masks covering your nose and mouth are required by Amtrak in all stations, as is keeping proper social distance from others. An NEJM study in March reported on a Thai taxi driver who fell ill and tested positive for the coronavirus after driving some tourists who had been coughing but wearing a mask. "We were at 2,000 PPM for the local classrooms here, and we opened the window and we were at 550 PPM," Arnot said. Something to consider when weighing the pros and cons of booking a private room they all come with free meals, including select soft drinks and your first alcoholic drink, plus you have the option of eating off the dining car menu or going with something more casual in the caf car. However, Amtrak doesnt allow passengers to open windows any longer because of safety regulations and the central air conditioning. More. Amtraks ridership hit an all-time record nationwide in 2019, then skidded by about 90% in April when cases of COVID-19 began soaring. It turned out to be a rough night, full of rattles and rumbles. Limiting rides to short trips may also be helpful. We now understand that smaller airborne particles can spread this virus, so employees are wearing face coverings, and were asking passengers to do so, too.. Bacterial co-infection is a major risk factor for death, intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation, according to a multi-center, retrospective cohort study published in the journal Critical Care and led by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers.. Coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, has killed more than 6.3 million people worldwide. In August the New York Times asked several international transportation agencies whether any superspreading events had been linked to mass transit, and they said none had. After locking the door behind me and closing the privacy curtain, I immediately took out my tub of Clorox wipes. The airport, for example, is usually an extremely busy place with people coming and going from all over, and passengers typically spend a long time cooped up together waiting for their plane. But if a person with the virus is wearing a mask, the face covering will catch those droplets. If the lawmakers see it Amtraks way, many more travelers may ride the rails for reasons other than COVID-19 concerns. For 50 years, Amtrak has connected America and transformed transportation by modernizing train travel, and building for the future. He adds, Weve seen this in studies of flu transmission on airplanes. While the flu virus doesnt necessarily spread throughout the entire plane, a sick person who expels the virus into the air is likely to spray contaminated droplets on the people in the seats around them. Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer. The virus is thought to be spread primarily by small droplets, called aerosols, that hang in the air and larger droplets that fall to the ground within six feet or so. Despite the setback of the pandemic, riders can climb aboard not only what Amtrak touts as a safer mode of travel, but also one thats improving. Federal law says freight trains must yield to passenger trains when both want to use the same track. Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Trains also are safer than planes, in part, because many train stations have open-air platforms where travelers board, Dr. Aaron Rossi told USA Today in October. Delta is the only airline that is still blocking the middle seat. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so. With mask mandates and capacity limits lifting in Maine on May 24, some experts are warning we need to take a closer look at something they feel has been overlooked in this pandemic: the quality of the air we are sharing inside. multi-million-dollar and multi-year project, Amtrak Recognized as One of Americas Best Large Employers. (The results were published this month in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.) The place is the environment. Detours with locals. METRO has partnered with the University of Southern Maine to carry out the tests on those devices. If a window is able to be opened, that always helps getting droplets to disperse very quickly, making it very unlikely that they will make it to another person in enough of a concentration to transmit infection, especially if masking is enforced, he said. Widespread mask use is key, says Lofgren. This article was published more than2 years ago. Amtrak, however, is limiting passenger capacity to roughly 50 percent (a percentage that varies depending on the quantity and size of groups traveling together) and has expanded cars and routes . We will continue to prioritize offering a modern, safe and reliable customer experience and preparing for what should be a monumental fiscal year 2022.. I was excited. My lunch was delivered right as we entered my favorite stretch of the journey, when the scenery of central California expanded with the wineries of Paso Robles, then surrounded us on all sides with mountains. While driving and flying are the most popular travel options, where does taking a train fit into pandemic travel? AND WE ARE WORKING WITH USM TO TEST THAT 04:15 IF THE TESTS GO WELL, METRO MAY ADD THE SYSTEMS TO THE REST OF THE FLEET. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. If you can splurge on a private room, do it! UPDATE: Train 178 is back on the move and currently operating approx. I observed room attendants entering the private rooms of passengers who were not wearing masks. Most passengers were respectful of the rules, though there was the occasional person who used this rule as a way to get around wearing a mask for an extended period of time in other sections, like the observation car. In a letter dated Jan. 22, Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn, who took the top job last spring, sent a letter to each member of Congress, citing Amtraks 50th anniversary this year. Since then, Amtrak has enhanced both its fleet and travel experiences to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The 14 Most Scenic Train Rides in the U.S. 31 Romantic Weekend Getaways to Book on a Budget, From Oprah Daily for Orangetheory Fitness, safest way to travel is via your own two feet, Bill Miller, an epidemiologist at The Ohio State University, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Yes, its lonely and solitary, but unfortunately during the coronavirus, thats perfect.. In fact, Dr. Arnot said he thought the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention focused too much early in the coronavirus pandemic response on cleaning surfaces (including the 19% of Americans who put bleach on their food to kill coronavirus) and not enough on lowering transmission through good ventilation for indoor spaces. "Maine is known as an outdoors place, as a fresh air place, as a natural place. Amtrak said on Friday that it will temporarily reduce service on some trains because of staffing challenges stemming from a surge in cases of the Omicron variant among workers . "Ventilation is the way forward," says infectious disease doctor Abraar Karan of Stanford. Since my journey seemed to vary from what I had read about other pandemic Amtrak experiences, I decided to reach out to travel writer Ali Wunderman, who had journeyed overnight on Amtraks Empire Builder train, which runs from Chicago to Portland, Oregon. Hi, there, she said before getting surprisingly excited. "We're investing in some additional CO2 sensors, we're setting those CO2 sensors to the lowest possible level, which is ensuring that out systems are exchanging air, at the fastest possible rate," Superintendent Heather Perry said in our report on schools last August. "I think Maine is very well positioned," Quinn said. While the view itself wasnt breathtaking, I found myself holding my breath. The affected routes include some trains in the Northeast Corridor and a New Orleans route. "Ridership had dipped as low as 10% of normal volume compared to 2019 at the worst of the pandemic this winter, according to the Downeaster. All the others have people right next to you, she said. At first, the feeling was confusing and almost unrecognizable, but then it hit me: For the first time in seven months, I wasnt just going somewhere I was traveling. Sleepy small towns and vast stretches of farmland also whizzed by outside, blurring into one another and introducing stories and characters that existed only for seconds. If the rate of community transmission in your region is low, chances are that taking the occasional taxi or ride-share car is not a huge riskprovided you wear a mask and keep the windows open as much as possible. 00:27 THESE ARE OUR MOST SOPHISTICATED INTERIOR SYSTEMS, AND THERE DESIGNED TO CYCLE AIR ON AVERAGE 44 TIMES AN HOUR 00:3 AMTRAK EVEN PUT OUT THIS VIDEO -- HIGHLIGHTING THEIR SYSTEM -- SOMETHING THE DOWNEASTER SAYS HAS BEEN HELPFUL FOR RIDERS. Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada took major hits in the two years since COVID-19 pushed much of the world into lockdown mode. Public transit systems have also been focusing on the ventilation component. Explore our digital archive back to 1845, including articles by more than 150 Nobel Prize winners. Some bus companies have installed clear partitions between drivers and passengers. But now the idea of being in such an enclosed space with a stranger can seem like a life-and-death proposition. At night, she saw passengers traveling in coach with masks down as they slept, and during the day, mask use seemed intermittent at best in communal areas. More airtight locations would have to work with their HVAC systems to increase the fresh air intake to levels that would adequately lower the parts per million (PPM). Greater Portland METRO has installed high-tech purification systems onboard their new buses. So, whats holding back higher speeds across Michigan? Meanwhile a recent Department of Defense study modeled the risk of in-flight infection using mannequins exhaling simulated virus particles and found that a person would have to be exposed to an infectious passenger for at least 54 hours to get an infectious dose. This will hopefully avoid clusters of people in aisles and at doorways. As the sun set on my first day, I was ready to call it a night. Amtrak was created by the Congress in 1971 when the nations existing railroads said theyd no longer carry passengers. In contrast, Amtrak conductors were very strict about keeping everyone socially distanced. Silverman called her trip a relaxing way to travel.. FOR PLACES LIKE BARS, RESTAURANTS AND STORES DR. (ARE- KNOT) ARNOT HAS A PROPOSAL INTO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO MANDATE CARBON DIXOIDE METERS. Una buena ventilacin, . Amtrak asked for $3.88 billion for "base needs" and to address the impact of COVID-19 and $1.55 billion in additional U.S. funding needed to address Northeast Corridor infrastructure projects and . Heres how to stay safe. (CG: DR. BOB ARNOT, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT) 06:30 MIT JUST CAME OUT WITH A BRAND NEW PAPER TWO DAYS AGO SAYING IT DOESNT MATTER IF YOURE 6 OR 60 FEET AWAY THE KEY THING IS YOU NEED TO HAVE FRESH OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY INDOORS. Among . Preliminary results for fiscal year 2021 (Oct. 2020 Sept. 2021) include: Amtrak highlights in fiscal year 2021 include: Amtrak Contact Follow her on Twitter @tanyalewis314Credit: Nick Higgins, Amanda Montaez is an associate graphics editor at Scientific American. With tourism expected to rebound, officials hope to get back to about 60% of pre-pandemic ridership by mid-summer. Schools have been some of the first places to take a hard look at their ventilation. Since then, ridership crept partway back to its. We were off. It is nearly impossible for drivers and passengers to remain six feet apart in a car, so transmission is definitely possible. Another safety factor? Private Rooms Additionally, Amtrak now shows the capacity of its trains online as people shop for tickets, which may help customers choose emptier options. Guidelines and suggestions only work if theyre enforced, and Amtrak has said that customers who refuse to wear a facial covering will be denied boarding, and those customers who still opt not to wear a facial covering will be provided with a full refund. The curtain of my cabin was closed, and not wanting me to miss the view, Linda hopped on our cars intercom to make an announcement. People refers to how many different people will you be coming in contact with. Customers are assigned specific seats once they board, says Predmore, and they wont be seated next to or facing other passengersunless theyre traveling together with friends or family members. Yet, Amtrak mandated masks for all passengers and employees beginning last spring. "Places like Washington State have already mandated live CO2 readings for restaurants, as a way to try to mitigate the virus risk.The data emerging from a handful of new research papers show that COVID-19 can build up in poorly ventilated spaces.In fact, a recent MIT study found the risk of being exposed to the coronavirus could be as great whether a person is 6 feet or 60 feet away if the air is mixed.That study went on to point out the potential threat existed even with a mask.WHAT TO DO AT HOME"The reason we still have hundreds to thousands of cases every single day it's as if people were walking into burning buildings and we didn't have smoke detectors," Dr. Arnot said.For homes and many businesses, the solution may be as simple as keeping all the windows open as much as possible.More airtight locations would have to work with their HVAC systems to increase the fresh air intake to levels that would adequately lower the parts per million (PPM).MAKING CLASSROOMS SAFERSchools have been some of the first places to take a hard look at their ventilation. More information: Michael John Patton et al, COVID-19 bacteremic co-infection is a major risk factor for mortality, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation, Critical Care (2023). For decades, improvements crept at the pace of a freight train inching through a switchyard. Many airlines now require passengers to wear a mask during flights except for mealtimes, and some are blocking off middle seats to allow more distancing between people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, local train travel dipped from 8,000 passengers a day to 200. Initially some researchers blamed the metropoliss bustling subwaywhich carried 5.5 million commuters on a typical pre-COVID weekdayfor making it the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S. Wundermans advice for travelers considering taking trains this holiday season is to book a roomette or fly instead. 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